Sadly the Civil War divided our young nation, this time we weren't fighting another country for our freedom. We were fighting now fighting amongst ourselves--all Americans!!!! The potential to ruin our own nation from within was a distinct possibility. This was brother against brother-families divided. The Civil War lasted four years, 1861 to 1865. "Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until the key is in our pocket," President Abraham Lincoln …showed first 75 words of 2015 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2015 total…They excavated a trench 7 feet deep and 8 feet wide. In early July, Pemperton and Grant began negotiations for the conditions of surrender. On July 4th, 1863, the Confederates surrendered. Grant road horseback along Jackson Road and down to the Warren County Courthouse, where he watched the stars and stripes be placed on top of the building. When word reached President Lincoln, he sighed, "Thank God, the Father of waters again goes on decks to the sea."